Page 6 of With the Assist

I glare at him. He’s not wrong, just an ass.

Liam smirks. “Is contract year making you tense?”

“Oh, fuck off.” I slap his hand away. “Where’s your date? Teresa? Or is it Tina?” I rattle off more names I know he’s hooked up with this month. I may be the team’s eligible bachelor who doesn’t take anything too seriously, but Liam is the playboy through and through. He couldn’t keep it in his pants if he tried.

“Her name’s Teagan,” he huffs.

We’re harsh, but that’s our friendship in a nutshell: mild bullying and the unspoken willingness to take a puck to the face for each other. These idiots? They’re family, and losing them if my contract tanks is what I’m most worried about.

I’m still good enough to go somewhere else, but I don’t want to. Boston has been home for my entire life and leaving now? It wouldn’t just be embarrassing, it’d be heartbreaking.

My eyes scan the room, checking who’s here and which sponsors might need ego fluffing later. It’s all the usual contenders, until I spot her.

The same long legs from the limo outside suddenly have my full attention. Most women here are soaking up the attention, but she looks like she’d rather be kicked in the shins.

I caught her checking me out when we were still outside. At least, I assume that’s what she was doing, considering the way she blushed when I winked at her. Now, without the chaos of the media, I let my gaze trail over her.

Her brown hair is curled, trailing down her back. Her black dress hugs every delicious curve, cinching around her hips and showing off her figure. Damn it if she’s not the sexiest woman here tonight.

Liam follows my gaze and whistles low. “Nice. Haven’t seen her before. New reporter?”

“Publicist,” Grayson guesses. “Or someone’s plus one. Too put-together to be an intern.”

Wyatt snorts. “She was dragged here against her will. Look at her jaw. She wants to murder someone.”

He’s not wrong. She’s checking her phone, ignoring everyone, clearly wishing she were somewhere else. But even though she’s miserable, she’s turning heads. It’s not an airbrushed influencer type of gorgeous, but the kind that’s worked for if her toned legs are any indication.

I take note of the multiple men who watch her, but she doesn’t seem to notice at all. She’s either the most overconfident woman I’ve ever seen or utterly clueless. It doesn’t really matter which one, I’m into it either way.

I don’t date much, but one night with a woman who looks that good might be exactly what I need to get out of my head.

Liam elbows me. “If you’re going over there, sprinkle in some charm and try not to scare her. She’s obviously not from this scene.”

“I’m always charming, and I’m not going over there.” I am definitely going over there.

Wyatt snorts again. “Sure.”

I hand my empty glass to a passing server. “Back in a minute.”

Grayson smirks. “He’s going to crash and burn.”

“I am not. I’m just going to start a conversation.”

“About what?” Liam’s voice is a little too loud. “Her shoes? Her dress?”

My glare shuts him up. When I glance back at her, another woman is by her side, and they giggle with each other. On a whim, I grab Liam by the shoulder. “Let’s hope Trisha doesn’t mind you playing wingman.”

“It’s Teagan,” Liam says dryly. “And what do you…”

I ignore him, pulling him along as I stride toward her. The crowd parts around me. I smile and nod when necessary, like I’ve done a thousand times before.

It’s the same old shit, except for how my pulse picks up as I get closer to her.

She turns, unaware I’m approaching. Her high cheekbones catch the light, and her glossed lips are tempting.

I slow to a stop a few feet from her. For the first time tonight, maybe in my life, I don’t have a line prepared.

She doesn’t even notice me.